Pictured: The paste being made up ready to be applied to the women's hair.

A group of tribeswomen in a remote village mix up a special paste using butterfat and ochre so they can create extraordinary red braids in their hair. For generations the Himba tribe have made the Otjize paste, a red-coloured substance, to cover their braided hair and skin with.

Due to the scarcity of water, the indigenous tribe developed the special substance to cleanse their skin and...more »

Pictured: The paste being made up ready to be applied to the women's hair.

A group of tribeswomen in a remote village mix up a special paste using butterfat and ochre so they can create extraordinary red braids in their hair. For generations the Himba tribe have made the Otjize paste, a red-coloured substance, to cover their braided hair and skin with.

Due to the scarcity of water, the indigenous tribe developed the special substance to cleanse their skin and protect them from the sun. Its rich red colouring is meant to symbolise the earth and blood and is an ideal of beauty for the tribe in western Kaokoland, Namibia. SEE OUR COPY FOR DETAILS.